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Valkyrie is a 2008 historical thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise. The film is based on the July 20 Plot of German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Cruise will portray the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. Cruise's casting caused controversy among German politicians and members of Stauffenberg's family due to the actor's practice of Scientology, though German newspapers and filmmakers gave support to the film to spread global awareness of von Stauffenberg's attempted plot. The filmmakers of Valkyrie initially had difficulty setting up filming locations in Germany, but they were later given leeway to film in locations pertaining to the film's story, such as Berlin's historic Bendlerblock. Valkyrie is slated for a October 3 2008 release.
Tobias Moretti was in talks for playing Adolf Hitler but had to decline due to schedule conflicts.
Carice van Houten, portraying Stauffenberg's wife Nina, is the longtime companion of Sebastian Koch, who played Stauffenberg in the critically acclaimed German TV movie Stauffenberg (2004) (TV).
The initially crew was not allowed to film on Bendler Block due to "the dignity of this place". Eventually, authorities would allow filming as long as the dignity of the place was not tarnished. On the evening of the takes, the entire crew observed a moment of silence in commemorance of Stauffenberg. Initial rumors that the project was banned from filming in Germany due to Tom Cruise's religious belief turned out not to be true.
Eleven film extras playing Wehrmacht soldiers were injured on set in Berlin when they fell out of a moving lorry. One of the actors received a serious back injury while others had bruises, cuts and head injuries. An insurance company investigation into the accident found that there was no mechanical malfunction of the truck. The investigation concluded that the side panel had been closed improperly by one of the extras, resulting in it opening while the truck was in motion.
Through the tireless efforts of Screenwriter/Producer Christopher McQuarrie and star Tom Cruise, the Ministry of Defence ultimately overturned their decision to deny the production's request to film at the Bendler Block and granted permission for scenes to be filmed at the historic location.
Some scenes had to be re-shot when the original film was destroyed after being treated with the wrong chemical during development.